cannabisnews.com: Grassroots Call for Change on Marijuana





Grassroots Call for Change on Marijuana
Posted by CN Staff on April 30, 2003 at 19:13:35 PT
News Story
Source: Budapest Sun 
In an attempt to legalize the use of so-called "soft drugs", the first ever demonstration for the free use of marijuana and its derivatives will take place in Budapest this weekend (May 4). Organized locally by a group called Kendermag (Hempseed), the Million Marijuana March event will join some 260 towns and cities worldwide who have also organized similar protests.
"We don’t want to encourage anyone to smoke joints. One can live happily without ever doing so. We’re not even saying that it’s completely harmless. "But one can also live without the harmful effects of cigarettes and alcohol too," said Kendermag president László Felsô. "We want to provide better information about drugs," he said. The demonstration, the patron of which is well-known film director Miklós Jancsó, is due to start at 4pm on Saturday (May 4) in Vörösmarty tér. There will be performances by guest artists including Anima Sound System, Sub Bass Monster, the Szilvási Gypsy Folk Band, DJ Palotai and Ladánybene 27. Writer György Konrád, Jancsó, members of Kendermag and a Free Democrat (SZDSZ) MP Péter Gusztos will also be among the speakers. "Nobody is going to say that it’s good to smoke pot, but we don’t agree with the assumption that someone who smokes a joint is criminal," said an organizer. "I think Hungary’s drugs policy needs to be changed to stop misinformation and provide the real facts about drugs," Felsô emphasized. According to Kendermag, the real problem is that the majority of Hungarians still can’t differentiate between smoking a joint and taking a shot of heroin. "We want to clarify the difference, because we believe that this attitude does more harm than good," Felsô said, adding that information and leaflets on drugs use will be available at the event. "Statistics show that by the age of 16, 80% of youngsters have already tried some kind of drug. If they don’t receive the correct information regarding the difference between a joint and hard drugs, how can we expect them to stop before taking something like heroin?" Kendermag doesn’t believe in the concept of a "gateway drug", that after trying soft drugs, the switch to hard drugs becomes automatic. "The concept of marijuana being a gateway drug was based on interviews with heroin addicts. When asked about their first experiences with drugs, the addicts often said it was with marijuana," said Felsô, who added that only a small fraction of marijuana users go on to hard drugs. Kendermag claims it is urging social dialogue and a change in attitude, rather than the Government passing laws prohibiting the use of certain drugs. Opposition Fidesz MP Péter Harrach maintains that liberalizing the laws on soft drugs will open the door to the use of other drugs. He said that the upcoming demonstration and the recent amendment of the penal code has sent a message to society that opens the way for drug abuse by youths. Source: Budapest Sun (Hungary)Published: May 1, 2003 - Volume XI, Issue 18 Copyright: 2003 The Budapest SunContact: editor bpsun.huWebsite: http://www.budapestsun.com/Kendermag Egyesülethttp://www.kendermag.huCannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help




Comment #1 posted by FoM on May 04, 2003 at 14:58:25 PT
News Brief from Reuters
Cannabis Rally Pelted with EggsMay 04, 2003BUDAPEST (Reuters) Revellers at Hungary's first pro-marijuana rally and rock concert have been pelted with tomatoes and eggs, forcing the festivities to end early.  Police kept pro-marijuana demonstrators and their opponents apart to prevent clashes but the anti-drug campaigners hissed, booed and threw objects, forcing the rally to end an hour early on Sunday. Hungary has one of the toughest anti-drug laws in Europe. Copyright: 2003 Reuters
[ Post Comment ]


Post Comment